I wouldn’t say that I have quite been made to eat humble pie but Waitress, the musical with all the winning ingredients of a Sara Lee cheesecake, is so much sweeter these days!

It is now five years since this unlikely show last displayed its wares in front of yours truly and, as the world continues to rave about Jessie Nelson & Sara Bareilles’ offering - despite me rolling my eyes every time I hear another plaudit - I resolved to enter the theatre last night with a fresh palate and open heart.

And, whilst I did not leave Bradford’s Alhambra humming a ‘looping’ song so wonderful that it will haunt my brain for the next week, I have a confession to make: I laughed and was heartily entertained….but wouldn’t rush back.

And it’s not because Waitress isn’t a great show, it’s just a woman’s show and not your average fare for a sci-fi, thriller loving bloke who switches the off button at the mention of Romcom!

This unlikely but beautifully staged musical from Director Diane Paulus (Restaged by Abbey O’Brien), wrestles with issues that have galvanised mankind since time immemorial – loneliness, female empowerment, male insecurities and power-tripping, explaining, perhaps, why the writers have simply sat back and been able to watch the dollars and awards roll in.

It ran for almost four years on Broadway and was New York’s first ever musical staged using an all-female production team: written, produced and now enjoyed by women the world over.

However, that would suggest that men are excluded which is certainly not the case, despite my earlier comments, for it is laced generously with humour, pathos, expansive movement, colour and dynamic sets, even if it still lacks that ‘hum-on-the-way-home tune. Many would argue that ‘She Used To Be Mine’ is that very number but not for me.

As for the players? Still great. Carrie Hope Fletcher was top notch as pie making genius Jenna, a performance that was certainly enhanced by her two wingers: Sandra Marvin (Becky) and Evelyn Hoskins (Dawn) both back in their respective comedy waitress roles after a gap of a few years.

David Mairs-McKenzie as Ogie, Dawn’s love interest, stepped up to the plate as last-minute stand in, taking the reins from Mark Anderson. Picking up the threads at short notice is a tough gig but he gave it his all and did a fine job, capturing the audience’s heart as the comedy cameo.

Jenna is the young waitress trapped in a loveless marriage, but pregnant to egotistic, insecure red neck hubby Earl (Mark Willshire). And, she sees her life as a series of pies, named after many of those events that are played out on a daily basis: The Betrayed By My Eggs Pie, The Lost Shepherd’s Pie and The Pursuit Of Happiness Pie.

When hot new medic Dr Pomatter, the excellent Dan Partridge, arrives in town, sparks fly and pie making takes on a whole new meaning!

But each of them is married and life becomes complicated.

It is a soft, gentle, reflective musical – not unlike Amelie – in that it gets you thinking and, as you laugh, you also experience an overbearing sadness because there are so many Dr Pomatter’s and Jenna’s in the world

Yes, this may have been written and produced by women, but Waitress speaks a universal language and despite my earlier misgivings, I must confess to now craving a slice of ‘I Think I Might Want Seconds Pie!

Waitress
Alhambra, Bradford
Until Saturday18th April 2026